Tucano Display Season 2004

VT Aerospace operates the Tucano Total Support Programme (TTSP) to provide the serviceable and airworthy aircraft to meet the Linton-on-Ouse flying task and also the multi activity contract (MAC).

TTSP is a class leading example of an integrated solution delivering aircraft from an operating fleet of 73 for take off every 4 minutes making Linton-on-Ouse the UK’s 3rd busiest airfield!

The display pilot Flight Lieutenant Martin Day is in his second year as display pilot and has always aspired to fly low level display aerobatics ever since winning the Battle of Britain Trophy for aerobatics when he was a Tucano student back in 1991. Martin has a busy year ahead as 51 displays are planned for 2004. Dates for your diary include RIAT Fairford 16th to 18th July, where VT is also sponsoring the Pilots Enclosure, RAF Leuchars 11th September and Duxford 10th October.

Tucano Aircraft ProfileThe RAF’s basic flying training is the Tucano T1, which is powered by a Garret TPE331 turbo-prop engine. The Tucano replaced the venerable Jet Provost in RAF service, the turbo-prop design being chosen for its greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

The handling of the Tucano is very jet-like, and its tandem cockpit layout prepares the student pilot for progression to the Hawk T1 advanced flying training and then to fast –jet aircraft on the front line. Like all RAF training aircraft, Tucanos have recently been painted in a black and yellow colour scheme. This high-visibility scheme has been selected as it has been demonstrated that the human eye can pick out a fast moving black target against a mixed background more readily than any other colour.

No 1 Flying Training SchoolNo 1 Flying Training School was established in July 1919 at Netheravon, known for a short time a Netheravon Flying School. Since this time, numerous changes in the size and role of the school have occurred. The School has disbanded and reformed many time and has been stationed at various location including Leuchars, Oakington and Ambala near the Indian City of Delhi.

For many years leading up to the Second World War the School trained Naval and Army officers for service with the Fleet Air Arm and Army Cooperation Squadrons unit, in 1940, the pressing needs for pilots in the RAF at the time meant officers were posted to RAF operational units instead of Fleet Air Arm Stations. During World War II, the School used the first ‘lead in’ and ‘lead out’ lights, which subsequently became a feature of all airfields. Also during this time, the first examples for instrument flying can be found. The aircraft used by No 1 FTS training have include the Avro 504K, Bristol Fighters, North American Havards, Tiger Moths and both the Piston and Jet Provost.

The first Tucano T Mk 1 arrived in April 1992 to replace the Jet Provost, which had amassed over 630 thousand flying hours during its time. No 1 FTS is now based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, where in 2002 its resident Squadrons inherited new squadron numbers. No 1 FTS now comprises, CFS (Tucano) Sqn, 72(R) and 207 (R) Sqns.

RAF Linton-on-OuseLinton-on-Ouse was designed and built in the late 1930’s opening in Mary 1937. It was mainly used as a bomber station when the first Whitley aircraft arrived in April 1938, and, at the outbreak of World War II, aircraft stationed at Linton-on-Ouse dropped propaganda leaflets on the RAF’s first night mission over Germany. Despite being victim to a number of German air raid attacks during this time, the Station continued to operation with aircraft participating in thousands of bombing raids over Germany and numerous attacks against German maritime targets. RAF Linton-on-Ouse has been host to some of Britain’s most prestigious aircraft including the Halifax, Lancaster, Hornet (the worlds fastest ever piston engined fighter), Vampire, Jet Provost and amongst others, the Sycamore Helicopters. Since 1957 Linton-on-Ouse has been used as one of the RAF’s main centers for flying training. It is currently host to No 1 Flying Training School, which is responsible for the basic fast jet training of all RAF and RN student pilots.